Explore your Medicare plan options
Not sure if you're eligible for Medicare?
Let's find out.
For most people, the first time you can enroll in Medicare is around your 65th birthday. At that time, you'll have a 7-month window when you can sign up for Medicare. It's called your Initial Enrollment Period – or IEP for short. Your IEP includes your 65th birthday month, the 3 months before and the 3 months after.
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When is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period?
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period — or AEP for short — is a set time each year for changing your Medicare coverage if you choose. AEP runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. New coverage choices go into effect on Jan. 1.
If you are not 65 years old, you may also enroll in Medicare with a qualifying disability (after you've received disability benefits for 24 months), or a qualifying medical condtion such as Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
Is everyone automatically enrolled in Medicare at 65?
If you currently receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you may be automatically enrolled in Medicare. You should receive your Medicare card in the mail before your 65th birthday. You can still make Medicare coverage decisions during your IEP. If you are not receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits when you turn 65, you will have to sign up for Medicare yourself.
Note: Medicare may not notify you about your eligibility, so be sure to get your IEP dates and put them on your calendar. If you wait too long to sign up and don't qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you could face late enrollment penalties.
Need help finding the right plan?
Tell us what's most important to you in a Medicare plan and we'll help you find plans that best match your answers.
Are you also eligible for Medicaid?
In most areas, people who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare can enroll in Dual Special Needs plans (D-SNPs). These are Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans that combine Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) and Medicare Part D prescription drug benefits with your state Medicaid coverage. These plans typically offer many extra benefits and features beyond Original Medicare and include help to coordinate care and benefits.
Note: Not all D-SNPs are available in all areas. But there may be other Medicare Advantage plans that may be a good fit for you. Your Medicare coverage choices need to fit your health needs, lifestyle and budget.
The UnitedHealthcare Right Plan Promise™
Be confident in your choice of Medicare plan
Our commitment to helping you find the right UnitedHealthcare Medicare plan. Enter your ZIP code and tell us what you want most, like included dental coverage, extra benefits, low monthly premiums and more.1
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See your Medicare options and decide which plan will be a good fit for your health care and budget needs.
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It's important to know what to do when you're eligible for Medicare.
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1 The Right Plan Promise is our commitment to provide you with tools and agent/producer support to help you find a plan in UnitedHealthcare's Medicare plan portfolio that meets your needs. It is not a guarantee that UnitedHealthcare offers a plan that meets the needs of every consumer. Plan recommendations are based on the information that you provide regarding your health coverage needs. Requests to disenroll or change plans remain subject to applicable Medicare regulations and Federal and state laws/regulations.